A busy morning for the multimedia box survey, with five new models. You’ll find a bit of everything here, including the much anticipated new WD TV Live and the Sony PS3 Slim games console.

The WD TV HD has been the most popular multimedia box on Digital Versus in 2009. The arrival of its replacement, the Western Digital WD TV Live is therefore a bit of an event. On the menu: the design and concept go unchanged, a higher performance decoding chip, DTS compatability and above all networking capability.

We continue with the PS3 Slim. Apart from being a games console, it can also read a multitude of multimedia files. So, is it the ideal multifunction product, stealing a march on the best media players?

Next we have the Mede8er MEX500, which has some nice features such as display of video synopses or audio album covers. Is this enough to compete with the Xtreamer or PopcornHour C-200 ?

Next we’re onto the Fantec MM-FHDL, an HD video model that plays videos encoded in H.264. Its main advantage however lies in having an LCD control screen, which means you can use the box without turning on the TV. For detail on other advantages and disadvantages, read on.

Lastly, the Icy Box IB-MP304S-B is an entry-level model. Low pricing + HDMI out + 1 USB port = enough?

Test: Western Digital WD TV Live
Test: Sony PS3 Slim
Test: Mede8er MED500X
Test: Fantec MM-FHDL
Test: Icy Box IB-MP304S-B

Multimedia box product survey